Joey Votto

Mr. Cub wrote those words on an autographed photo of him and Anthony Rizzo, who attached it to the wall of his locker in the spring of 2015.

Ernie Banks, the Cubs icon, and Rizzo, the young first baseman, had bonded after Rizzo's arrival from the Padres in 2012. After Banks died in January 2015, Rizzo paid tribute to his friend by posting the photo in his locker, a daily affirmation from a man synonymous with sunshine.

It wasn't one of the catchy slogans the Cubs would make famous in 2016 — "Embrace the Target" or "Try Not to Suck" — and it wasn't particularly poetic. Just a friendly reminder from someone who never...

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"Dream Big."
Mr. Cub wrote those words on an autographed photo of him and Anthony Rizzo, who attached it to the wall of his locker in the spring of 2015.
Ernie Banks, the Cubs icon, and Rizzo, the young first baseman, had bonded after...

Jon Lester fell short in his bid to win his 20th game Saturday as the Reds ran up his pitch count early in a 7-4 victory over the Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Lester allowed five runs in five innings.
At the plate
The Cubs provided no run support...

Ben Zobrist hit two home runs and spot starter Jake Buchanan threw five innings of two-hit ball Friday night as the Cubs rolled to a 7-3 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
At the plate
Josh Smith retired the first 12 Cubs' batters in...

The Cubs hope to script their innings for relievers starting next week after they clinch home field advantage through the National League playoffs and after the conclusion of their home series against the rival Cardinals.
Those plans went on hold briefly...

The major-league education of Willson Contreras continues Saturday as the Cubs' prized rookie will start at catcher for left-hander Jon Lester.
Manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that the rookie will replace David Ross, who was put on the seven-day...

Manager Joe Maddon told Kyle Hendricks that he now has the physical experience of pitching deep into games after throwing 117 pitches to preserve a fatigued bullpen in a 6 2/3-inning effort Wednesday.
“That was necessary because the bullpen was very...

The rosters have changed, but the Cubs' desire to beat the Mets still lingers, according to Kyle Hendricks.
"We've got a little chip on our shoulders," Hendricks said Wednesday after pitching the Cubs to a 9-2 victory over the Reds to...

Published in Chicago Tribune on June 30, 2016 — Print headline: "Sweep complete, momentum back on Cubs' side"

Javier Baez is playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in the opinion of manager Joe Maddon and teammates Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Hendricks.
But Baez doesn’t have a permanent position, so he’ll have to settle for making exceptional plays at several infield...

The Cubs jumped on left-hander Cody Reed for five runs in the first three innings Wednesday and cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Reds to complete a three-game sweep at Great American Ballpark. Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton left in the first after...

After using Miguel Montero as his last available position player off the bench in the 12th inning, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon knew that digging further into his reserves would call for extreme matters.
“All hands on deck,” Maddon said. “We were down...

The zany slogans, the array of T-shirts, goofy suit trips and visits by animals might have been upstaged Tuesday night in manager Joe Maddon's deep bag of tricks.
After watching the Cubs blow a 2-0 lead and using all his available position players by the...

Jake Arrieta pointed to his 12-2 record and 2.10 ERA as measuring sticks of a successful season.
So the Cubs’ ace wasn’t overly worried about his recent struggles despite failing to pitch deeper than five innings for the fourth time in his past seven...

Kris Bryant actually disappointed thousands of Cubs fans Monday night at Great American Ballpark.
He declined to accept their rare request for a curtain call on the road in the eighth inning after he hit his third home run to cap a record-setting effort....

Kris Bryant actually disappointed thousands of Cubs fans Monday night at Great American Ballpark.
He declined to accept their curtain call request in the eighth inning after he hit his third home run to cap a record-setting effort.
"I've never been...

American League
Central Division
White Sox: Club gets big-time starter in James Shields and doesn’t give up top prospects.
Indians: Marlon Byrd played for six teams after first PED suspension. Now he's done.
Royals: Red-hot Ned Yost plugging new...

American League
Central Division
White Sox: Chris Sale and Jose Quintana are MLB's best 1-2 punch over first month and a half.
Indians: Terry Francona on Mike Napoli: "His intent is to hit the ball as far as he can. I like that."
Royals:...

Anthony Rizzo slugged two home runs Sunday to spark the Cubs to a 9-0 win over the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Jason Heyward has three hits to help pace a 13-hit attack.
At the plate
Tommy La Stella, making his first start at the leadoff spot, has...